May Day Monster Mash Picnic

Saturday, May 1
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

La Laguna de San Gabriel
Vincent Lugo Park, San Gabriel

$5-$15; reservations required

The Los Angeles Conservancy, its Modern Committee, and the Friends of La Laguna invite kids of all ages to a special picnic a truly unique playground: La Laguna de San Gabriel, a sand-filled "lagoon" of whimsical sea creatures handcrafted in the mid-1960s by master concrete artist Benjamin Dominguez.

This "Monster Park" will host a May Day afternoon of games, lunch, and architecture-inspired ice cream sandwiches from the Coolhaus truck. Admission is $15 for the general public, $10 for L.A. Conservancy members, and $5 for kids twelve and under (admission includes lunch, a Coolhaus ice cream sandwich, and games). Reservations are required and available on the L.A. Conservancy site.

La Laguna is more than just an amazing place; it's a great preservation success story. The playground was threatened with demolition in 2006 as part of a park expansion plan. After successfully rallying to save the playground, the grassroots Friends of La Laguna commissioned a groundbreaking study and preservation plan for this unique architectural treasure.

The Friends won a 2009 Conservancy Preservation Award for their Historic Structures Report and Preservation Plan. They've launched a $1.2 million capital campaign to implement the plan and recently received a $250,000 grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment. The playground is now an official City of San Gabriel landmark and the only postwar playground listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.

The picnic is generously sponsored by AYSO - Region 40, Barons Media, The Coca-Cola Company, Gabriel's Automotive, Park West Landscape Maintenance, Inc., The Rivera Family, and Subway.

This event is part of the Los Angeles Conservancy and Modern Committee program, The Sixties Turn 50, celebrating the 1960s architectural heritage of Greater Los Angeles and exploring how best to preserve it. For more information, visit laconservancy.org/sixties.

Photo by Eloy Zarate.

L.A. Heritage Day a Success!

On April 11, 2010 over 1200 people -- from as far away as Newport and Santa Barbara -- descended on to Heritage Square Museum for the L.A. Heritage Alliance's 3rd Annual LA Heritage Day. There was a line when the gates opened at 11am, and even as the event drew to a close a 4pm, people were still trying to gain entrance! All in attendance agreed that this was the best event yet for heritage organizations in LA County (and beyond!) to connect with each other and reach out to others to promote our shared heritage.

This success was due in large part to the work of the participating groups that each helped promote the event, as well as the media attention the event garnered. Pre-event coverage could be found online, in newspapers like L.A. Weekly and The L.A. Times, and even on TV on Fox11!

People rode their bikes, took the Metro, and drove to the event in numbers rarely seen at the impressive museum. And when they arrived, they were greeted by Pink's hot dogs, which sold out its regular and vegetarian dogs, and even ran out of chili and kraut!

With results like this, next year is sure to be even more successful!

L.A. Heritage Day: Sunday, April 11, 2010

LA Heritage Day is quickly approaching on Sunday, April 11, 2010. It will be held at Heritage Square Museum (3800 Homer Street, L.A. 90031), and admission is free if you download the flyer for free admission here.

What more do you need to know?

There will be over 1000 attendees and 100 heritage organizations, historical societies, museums, and preservation groups present.

This year will also feature...

- a scavenger hunt for kids and "young at heart,"

- ongoing Heritage Showcase with a new "act" every 15 minutes throughout the day,

- Pink's Hot Dogs for sale on site,

- "open houses" of the historic homes at Heritage Square Museum,

- activities for kids,

- historic demonstrations,

- and much, much more!

How to get there:

You can drive a park, but you might have to walk a block or two. OR, this year, there are two options that are driving alternatives:

1. You can "Go Metro" and take Metro to the Heritage Square Gold Line Station and a free shuttle will take you to the entrance of the museum. OR...

2. You can ride your bike to Heritage Square Museum where special, secure bicycle parking has been arranged for the special event.

Don't miss the largest heritage event in LA County!

Typewriter Exhibit at Valley College

From the Valley College Historical Museum... Metal into Words The Martin M. Cooper Typewritter Collection On Exhibit at the L.A. Valley College Historical Museum Exhibit from March 24 through April 30, 2010 OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: MARCH 24, 2010 TIME: 5:00 PM AT THE MUSEUM (Bungalow 15/16) LIGHT REFRESHMENTS SERVED To RSVP for the Reception, please contact Mr. Bill Carpenter at (818)947-2373 or by email at carpenb@lavc.edu

About Us The L.A. Valley College Historical Museum is an auxiliary of the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation. Founded in 1975 by Dr. James Dodson, the mission of the Museum is to collect, preserve, and promote historical artifacts as it relates to the history of the San Fernando Valley. It also serves as a repository for Los Angeles Valley College historical collections.

Register Now for the Heritage Portal!

For some time, the L.A. Heritage Alliance has been discussing an "Online Master Heritage Calendar & Portal" that the general public could use and go to as the "one-stop-shop" for all heritage activities in the County. We wanted something that could be self-updated and allow for each group to add their events and activities directly. Additionally, we wanted this portal to host the "master listing" of all groups (instead of us updating it for you every time there is a change). Finally, we wanted it to be free, yet professional. With all this in mind, we are proud to announce a partnership with ExperienceLA.com.

Due to our group efforts (and the theory of "strength in numbers"), we have been able to partner with ExperienceLA.com, THE go to events and transportation calendar for L.A. County. They are going to create a portal and listing for all of our respective events, including tours, lectures, meetings, special events, and even open hours. It is FREE, and many other websites (like the LA Visitors Bureau, the Arts Commission, LA City, and others) use this information to promote L.A. to tourists and residents alike.

All Heritage Organizations in LA are encouraged to sign-up and be a part of this project to put heritage at the forefront of cultural activities in Los Angeles!

Historic Theatre Tour: The Academy & The Fox in Inglewood

From the L.A. Historic Theatre Foundation...

Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation (www.lahtf.org ) presents

All About The Academy &

Save the Fox Inglewood

An overview of Inglewood’s Historic Theatres and a tour of the Academy & Fox

Saturday, February 20,

10:30 am; Doors open at 10:00 am (note time change)

Free Admission – The Public is Invited

The Academy Cathedral

3141 W Manchester Blvd. (at Crenshaw)

Inglewood CA 90305

Parking available behind the Cathedral

For directions to The Academy, click here: http://tinyurl.com/ykrnsh5

Inglewood and its historic theatres are Topic A for the LAHTF’s next All About docu-tour as we take close-up looks at The Academy (1939 S. Charles Lee) and the Fox Inglewood(1949 S. Charles Lee and Carl Moeller). We will also take a brief photographic tour of Inglewood’s other historic theatres. Many thanks to the Inglewood Historic Site Preservation Committee.

SNEAK PREVIEW!

Here’s a brief look at the Fox Inglewood on the LAHTF YouTube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/lahtf#p/u/0/gHRDIpEzGrk

Here’s one for The Academy:

http://www.youtube.com/lahtf#p/u/0/LStq2diGBIc

SAVE THE FOX INGLEWOOD!

DANGER! This incredible cultural resource is up for sale at auction and faces an uncertain future.

Click here for photos and details:

http://www.svnauctions.com/upcoming_auctions/NV/fox_theatre_inglewood_california_115_n_market_st/

LEARN how you can become involved in a grass roots community drive to preserve, restore and rehabilitate the Fox as a multi-purpose entertainment and special events venue.

TOUR – The Academy and get a sneak peek of the fabulous Fox Inglewood!

SEE – Theatre Historian Ed Kelsey’s PowerPoint presentations on Inglewood Historic Theatres, The Academy and the Fox.

HIDDEN IS REVEALED – Discover for yourself two iconic and seldom seen buildings.

PARTICIPATE! – Join with the LAHTF and the folks in Inglewood to save and use an incredible historic theatre.

For more information about The Academy: http://www.academycathedral.com/

21st Century Museum Grants

Institute of Museum and Library Services: 21st Century Museum Professionals
This program provides support to increase the capacity of museums by improving the knowledge and skills of museum professionals in multiple institutions.

Basic details from their site (click for the full details)....

FY 2010 Deadline:

March 15, 2010

Grant Amount:

 $15,000-$500,000

Grant Period:

 Up to three years

Matching Requirement: 

1:1 for all funds requested from IMLS

Program Overview

Museum professionals need high levels of knowledge and expertise as they help create public value for the communities they serve. The purpose of the 21st Century Museum Professionals program is to increase the capacity of museums by improving the knowledge and skills of museum professionals in multiple institutions. 21st Century Museum Professionals grants are intended to reach broad groups of museum professionals throughout a city, county, state, region, or the nation.

Grants fund a wide range of activities, including the development and implementation of classes, seminars, and workshops; resources to support leadership development; collection, assessment, development, and/or dissemination of information that leads to better museum operations; activities that strengthen the use of contemporary technology tools to deliver programs and services; support for the enhancement of pre-professional training programs; and organizational support for the development of internship and fellowship programs. IMLS also welcomes proposals that promote the skills necessary to develop 21st century communities, citizens, and workers.

Eligibility
Museums that fulfill the eligibility criteria for museums may apply. Public or private not-for profit agencies, organizations or associations that engage in activities designed to advance museums and the museum profession may also apply. In addition, institutions of higher education, including public and nonprofit universities are eligible.